<p>I’m not old enough to know about all that history… but things and times change. UF has aligned itself for success over the last 20 years to make it one of the top research schools in the country. For example, UF joined the elite AAU research group in the 80s. UF has also managed to SIGNIFICANTLY boost its research expenditures to close to $600 Million a year… which is WAY more than any university in Florida and almost more than all the other SUS schools COMBINED! UF’s research expenditures is also THREE TIMES that of FSU’s.</p>
<p>UF positioned itself for continued success by creating new research institutes and partnering with some of the best research organizations in the US. UF is also in the works of finalizing construction plans with Alexandria to build new research facilities on campus. Alexandria is the most respected investor in life science research in the country with partnerships with MIT, UCSF, etc…</p>
<p>FSU is more focused on liberal arts… which is good but that isn’t going to bring in the research money that UF is getting.</p>
<p>UF has made some great progress in recent years and they should be commended for such areas like research monies. Now, does that really mean they offer a better undergraduate experience compared to a co-flagship school like FSU? Uh, well…hard to say. I’m here to tell you “no”; the differences are far smaller and more program area nuanced than US News ratings indicate. </p>
<p>There just is no reason for unbridled arrogance. ;)</p>
<p>Gfg, the real point here is that FSU is currently rated better in political science than UF is and I pointed that out for the OP. Chances are FSU will always be preferable and higher rated in this area than UF due to proximity to government centers of power and program emphasis. By extension, I sincerely doubt FSU will ever challenge UF in something like agriculture, so trust me when I write that if I see a student post asking about FSU’s ag program this FSU graduate will steer (no pun intended :D) him to Hog Town for the foreseeable future.</p>
<p>P.S. I figured as much rogracer, but wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. :)</p>
<p>p2n, but I’m still looking for your answer to my question. What is the difference between FSU’s undergraduate education compared to Princeton’s undergraduate education?</p>
<p>Why not postulate on the difference between a UF undergraduate education and an Ivy League undergraduate education? It’d be about the same question.</p>
<p>I’m a Political Science sophomore at UF and so far it really takes liking the subject to get through it. A lot of the teachers are arrogant and make sure their opinions on subjects are well known. Be prepared to read every single chapter of your book and definitely look up your professors on rate my professors before you sign up for their class.</p>
What makes them different?</p>